Wintersun Caravan Park, Alice Springs, NT

Day 161 – 27th July 2011

Wintersun Caravan Park, Alice Springs, NT

On the way to Alice Springs this morning we stopped at Coroboree Rock Conservation Reserve where we took a short walk around the base of the rock (1km loop - 15min). Next we continued on to Jessie and Emily Gap, 2 scenic gaps in the Heavitree Range associated with an Arrernte Caterpillar Dreaming trail where Aboriginal rock paintings can be viewed.

After lunch we started calling around to compare the offer of new tyres in Alice and booked an appointment for a wheel alignment. Once this was sorted out we drove to Traeger Park to have a look at the Grand Stand which Andrew was involved in designing. Afterwards we visited the Central Australia Aviation Museum in the former Connellan Air hangar housing old planes and the Kookaburra Memorial commemorating the tragic tale of the tiny Kookaburra that crashed in the Tanami Desert in 1929 while out searching for the Southern Cross plane that had gone down. The Kookaburra pilots perished in the desert while the Southern Cross pilots were rescued. In the evening we relaxed at the caravan park and enjoyed watching some TV.

Scenery along the drive

West MacDonnell Ranges - 1 lane road where you have to
move partly on the gravel when an oncoming car approaches

Watch out for cows

Coroboree Rock Conservation Reserve

Coroboree Rock

Jessie Gap

Jessie Gap

Jessie Gap

The white sand against the ridge of this gap represents
the emu fat in the Aboriginal Emu storyline

Emily Gap

Emily Gap

These rock paintings represent the 3 caterpillars who
are beings of great significance for the Arrernte people